BATON ROUGE -- A House committee today unanimously voted to kill a bill designed to deny anyone convicted of vehicular homicide or negligent injury from getting a driver's license.

Louisiana LegislatureRep. Rickey Hardy, D-Lafayette

The Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works refused to advance House Bill 966 by Rep. Rickey Hardy, D-Lafayette. The measure is dead for the session unless Hardy can revive it in the form of an amendment to another related bill.

Hardy's bill would have required that the individual's license be suspended immediately upon conviction of either crime and prohibited the person from ever getting a license again. The two offenses are tied to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Hardy said that in 2009, 152 drivers were arrested on charges of vehicular homicide.

Rep. Nita Hutter, R-Chalmette, who chairs the panel, said the permanent ban seems harsh in some cases, especially on a young driver who may have had a drink at a prom party and kills someone driving home.

"Are you saying he can never have a driver's license again?" she asked.

Hardy said that is what the measure is designed to do, adding, "The victim will never be able to enjoy a prom or a wedding or a sports event," he said.